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Irish Talent Shines as Nominations for Film Independent Spirit Awards are Announced

Irish Talent Shines as Nominations for Film Independent Spirit Awards are Announced

Posted: 23rd November 2017

Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) congratulates the team behind the Element Pictures-produced The Killing of a Sacred Deer, as the Irish title received two nominations for the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Dublin actor Barry Keoghan is up for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the sinister Martin, in Yorgos Lanthimos’ critically acclaimed film, while Thimios Bakatakis gets the nod for Best Cinematography. Academy Award®-nominated Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn) has also been nominated for Best Actress following her turn in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, recognise uniqueness of vision and innovation in visual storytelling, with the awards taking place in LA on 3 March, hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney for the second year in a row.

Speaking on the nominations, Element Pictures' Ed Guiney, producer of The Killing of a Sacred Deer, commented, “Delighted for both Barry and Thomas that their incredible work on this film is being recognised, it’s hugely deserved and a credit to Yorgos and the entire film-making team.”

The Killing of a Sacred Deer sees Colin Farrell reunite with Lanthimos. Farrell stars as Steven, a charismatic surgeon forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice after his life starts to fall apart when the behavior of a teenage boy he has taken under his wing takes a sinister turn. Nicole Kidman also stars as the wife of Farrell’s character, along with young, Irish actor Barry Keoghan (’71 and Dunkirk), Raffey Cassidy (Tomorrowland), Sunny Suljic (The Unspoken), Bill Camp (12 Years a Slave) and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless). The film has currently grossed just under €200,000 at the Irish box office, making this Lanthimos’ most successful opening film in Ireland to date. In the US, the film continues its success story grossing over 2 million dollars after five weeks on screen.

Saoirse Ronan’s Best Actress nomination for her role as Christine in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird follows on from the Irish actress’s string of accolades and nominations in 2016 for her critically-acclaimed portrayal of Eilis Lacey in John Crowley’s, Brooklyn.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer was produced by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe’s Element Pictures (The Lobster, Room, A Date for Mad Mary). Lanthimos and his regular collaborator, Efthymis Filippou, co-wrote the project, which was shot last Autumn in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The film is financed by Film4 and New Sparta Films along with the IFB. The project was developed by Element Pictures with support from Film4. HanWay Films is worldwide sales agent with A24 on board as US distributor.